8 miles (13km)
The way from Mill Green on the edge of Hatfield is eastward to follow at first the main road behind Hatfield Park before turning north-east along the edge of Welwyn Garden City. This change from the original route is caused by the closure of a permissive path and means that the Lea Valley Way now follows the entire Cole Green Way to Hertford where the River Lea reappears. rejoining the river. Beyond Holwell, near Essendon, the route is along another former railway line now known as the Cole Green Way. The old railway hotel, still to be found by the former Cole Green Station, is now a handy open-all-hours pub and the natural break on this section, which reaches Hertfordshire’s county town.
Refreshments
Mill Green, Hatfield: The Green Man, Mon-Fri, 12-2.30pm and 5.30-11pm; weekends open all day.
Cole Green: Cowper Arms. Open all day. Children welcome.
Hertingfordbury: The White Horse. Open all day from 8.30am.
Accommodation
Hatfield: Premier Inn, Lemsford Road AL10 0DA; 08701 977 129.
Cole Green: 5 Cole Green Cottages SG14 2NL; 01707 333225.
Hertingfordbury: The White Horse. SG14 2LB; 01992 586791.
Transport
Mill Green, Hatfield: National Rail to Hatfield.Hertford: National Rail from Hertford East Station. (Trains from Hertford East Station run through the Lea Valley to London’s Liverpool Street. Hertford North Station, some distance away in North Road, is served by King’s Cross trains.)
Tourist Information
Hertford: 10-12 The Wash SG14 1PX (01992 584322).
Map
OS Explorer 182 (St Albans & Hatfield) and 174 (Epping Forest and Lee Valley).
Walked the section from Stanborough Lakes to Hertingfordbury today,10/5/2013. At Mill Green the Swan sign disappeared.We continued walking along the south side of the Lea after Hatfield house until we met the B158.No signs! Could not get further , as we now realise, because the permissive path has been withdrawn.We walked along the B158 towards Hertford until we found a minor road heading up to Letty Green. It was DANGEROUS – lots of traffic,the four of us were all 70+. We were OK once we found the Cole Green Way in Letty Green but it was an unpleasant experience as the roads are fast back roads to Hertford.
Comments
1.the 2010 OS map gives no guidance at all.
2.the Cicerone book is unhelpful on this section and it is the worst section we have experienced for lack of
Swan signs.
3.HOW are we supposed to know there is a problem after Woodhall farm at Mill Green? No diversion signs –
who is responsible for this section of the route